Romney hits Rudy on immigration
Posted: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 4:19 PM by Mark Murray
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Republicans
From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
Fresh off his Ames straw poll win, Romney's spending the day making visits in three other key primary states -- Michigan, Georgia, and Florida. During a lunch time stop in Atlanta, Romney took advantage of the time to attack Giuliani and also the three leading Democratic presidential candidates.
He questioned why Giuliani will not admit his wrongdoing regarding "sanctuary cities" for illegal immigrants. Romney also explained why sanctuary cities may have existed in Massachusetts while he was governor. "I was the governor of the state. I'm not critical of [former New York] Gov. Pataki for not cracking down on Mayor Giuliani. I'm critical of cities that call themselves sanctuary cities that say they are going to enforce the law," Romney said. "I don't know why Mayor Giuliani just won't say he made a mistake and that he's changing his mind. But cities that call themselves sanctuary cities and say that they are not going to enforce the law of immigration are making a mistake. As governor, I was responsible for my state. I was not a mayor. Had I been a mayor, I wouldn't have been sanctuary mayor."
Romney also said the three leading Democrats -- Clinton, Edwards, and Obama -- represent policies of the left that are the opposite of "principles which are the basis of our nation's success, principles that Ronald Reagan espoused of strength in our military and our economy, and in our values in our homes." Regarding Clinton, Romney specifically attacked her views on the economy, stating she wants to raise taxes and turn an "on your own society" into a "a shared responsibility, we're all in it together society." Romney said her way is not the right way for America and he called for both lower taxes and "personal responsibility and opportunity."
Romney also blasted Edwards for stating that the war on terrorism is a bumper sticker slogan. Romney said radical Jihadism is the "greatest threat to civilization."
